Fulham defender Kelly: Stoke always special to me

Fulham defender Stephen Kelly says their weekend opponents Stoke City will always be special to him.

Prior to his arrival at Craven Cottage in July 2008, the 28-year-old spent a four-month loan spell with the Potters and although the visitors have won just one of their last eight League outings, he predicts a tough challenge lies ahead.

“I enjoyed my time at the Britannia,” Kelly told fulhamfc.com. “It was Stoke’s first season in the Premier League so it was a special period for them. I worked well with the players there and only have good things to say about the club.

“The manager [Tony Pulis] has his style of football, and it’s not too dissimilar to how Roy Hodgson had us set up in my first season at Craven Cottage in the sense that they are well drilled and organised. It might not be the prettiest, but it works for them.

“They’ve gone a long way in that time too, reaching the FA Cup Final last season and as a result they are enjoying a decent run in Europe – like we did a few years back.”